583. In accordance with paragraph 5 of Rule XXI of the General
Rules of the Organization the Director-General shall report to
the Conference whenever a convention, agreement, supplementary
convention or agreement has, in accordance with its terms, come
into force or ceased to be in force, or has been amended and the
amendments come into force.

584. The Conference had before it the "Statutory Report
on the Status of Conventions and Agreements and Amendments
Thereto"(C 67/45), which was submitted in accordance with
the above requirement.

585. The Conference also considered documents C 67/45-Sup. 1
and Sup. 2 regarding the amendment to Article IV of the
"Convention placing the International Poplar Commission
within the framework of FAO"which was adopted by the Second
Special Session of the International Poplar Commission held on 30
October 1967.

586. The Conference approved the Statutory Report mentioned
above and in conformity with the provisions of Article XII-3 of
the Convention Placing the International Poplar Commission within
the Framework of FAO adopted the following resolution:

Resolution No. 18/67

Amendment to Article IV of the Convention Placing the
International Poplar Commission within the Framework of FAO

THE CONFERENCE

Considering the terms of Article IV of the Convention placing
the International Poplar Commission within the framework of FAO,
in accordance with which "each contracting Nation shall make
provision, as soon as possible and to the best of its ability,
for the establishment of a National Poplar Commission.... ";

Considering further that the Government of Canada, by Note
Verbale of 29 December 1966 formally proposed an amendment to
that provision, designed to enable the parties to the Convention
to choose between the establishment of a National Poplar
Commission and the designation of some other suitable national
body to discharge the functions which would otherwise be
incumbent on the National Poplar Commission;

Noting that the Convention, in accordance with Article XII,
paragraphs 1 and 3 thereof, may be amended by the Commission by a
two-thirds majority of its membership, and that amendments become
effective only with the concurrence of the FAO Conference and as
from the date of such concurrence;

Noting further that the International Poplar Commission at its
Second Special Session held on 30 October 1967, adopted by the
required two-thirds majority of its membership, the amendment to
Article IV of the aforementioned Convention as proposed by the
Government of Canada;

Approves the amendment to Article IV of the Convention as
adopted by the Second Special Session of the International Poplar
Commission, the text of which reads as follows: (words added are
underlined)

"Each contracting Nation shall make provision as
soon as possible and to the best of its ability, either
for the establishment of a National Poplar Commission,
or, if not possible, for the designation of some other
suitable national body, and shall transmit a description
of the competence and scope of the National Commission or
other body and of any changes thereto, to the
Director-General of the Organization who shall circulate
this information to the other Member Nations of the
Commission. Each contracting Nation shall communicate to
the Director-General the publications of its National
Commission or other body. "

(Adopted 21.11. 67)

587. The Conference suggested that the form of the English
text of this amendment should be improved so as to conform to the
French and Spanish texts, which were more precise. To this end,
it recommended that the International Poplar Commission adopt an
English text to read: "or, if this is not possible",
and of such other body".

588. The Conference noted with satisfaction that considerable
progress had been made towards the conclusion of a formal
agreement establishing relations between FAO and OAU. Being
informed that agreement had been reached on all but one question,
the Conference hoped that it would be possible for the formal
agreement to be approved in the near future.

589. The Conference noted with satisfaction the progress made
in establishing formal working relations with the African
Development Bank and the Asian Development Bank, and also the
stage reached in discussions which were under way with the
Inter-American Development Bank and the Central American Bank of
Economic Integration. The Conference expressed its strong support
for co-operative activities with the area banks.

590. The Conference had before it the text of a Memorandum of
Understanding Regarding Co-operation between FAO and the African
Development Bank and a Note on Procedure for ad hoc Co-operative
Action between FAO and the Asian Development Bank. These
instruments had been approved by the Council at its Forty-Ninth
Session, subject to confirmation by the Conference, in accordance
with Rule XXIV-4(c) of the General Rules of the Organization. The
Conference was advised that the agreements, while already being
implemented on an ad hoc basis, were subject to adoption by the
respective governing bodies of the African Development Bank and
the Asian Development Bank.

591. The Conference decided to confirm these instruments, and
adopted the following resolution:

Resolution No. 19/67

Arrangements with the African Development Bank and the Asian
Development Bank

THE CONFERENCE

Considering the desirability of establishing close
co-operation between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations and both the African Development Bank and the
Asian Development Bank on matters of common concern;

Noting that the Forty-Ninth Session of the Council, acting in
accordance with the provisions of Rule XXIV-4(c) of the General
Rules of the Organization, had approved a Memorandum of
Understanding Regarding Cooperation between FAO and the African
Development Bank and a Note on Procedure for ad hoc Co-operative
Action between FAO and the Asian Development Bank, subject to
confirmation by the Conference;

Confirms the decision of the Forty-Ninth Session of the
Council approving the above-mentioned instruments, the texts of
which are reproduced as Appendices E and F hereto.

592. The Conference took note of the report (C 67/49), which
the Director-General had submitted in accordance with the policy
governing relations with international organizations, adopted at
the Seventh Session of the Conference. It also noted that since
the issue of the report, the International Society of Soil
Science had been granted Specialized Consultative Status, and the
European Committee of Sugar Manufacturers had been granted Liason
Status.

593. The Conference learned that, following a recommendation
of its 11th Session held in 1961, the ad hoc Working Party on
Wildlife Management of the FAO African Forestry Commission had
prepared, in consultation with interested African Member Nations,
a draft African Convention for the Conservation and Management of
Wildlife. At a session held at Fort-Lamy, Chad, in February 1967,
this Working Party had evolved a procedure to be followed for the
formal adoption of this convention as drafted.

594. The Conference was informed that earlier a Conference on
Natural Resources, held in Lagos in 1964, under the sponsorship
of Unesco and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, had
recommended that the Organization for African Unity (OAU) entrust
to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and
Natural Resources (IUCN), assisted by Unesco and FAO, the
preparation of a draft convention on all natural resources. In
turn, the Council of Ministers of OAU, at its 9th Session in
Kinshasa in September 1967, had expressed the desire for a single
convention covering all natural resources.

595. The Conference adopted the following resolution:

Resolution No. 20/67

African Convention for the Conservation and Management of
Wildlife

THE CONFERENCE

Expresses its satisfaction with the draft Wildlife Convention
drawn up by the African Forestry Commission's ad hoc Working
Party on Wildlife Management, as meeting the urgent needs of
member countries and particularly of the services in Africa
responsible for the conservation and management of wildlife;

Requests the Director-General to transmit as soon as possible
the text of this draft Convention to the Governments of Member
Nations of Africa, inviting them to take it into account in
revising their national legislation;

Considers that the finalization of a comprehensive Convention
on the Conservation and Management of all natural resources will
require very considerable time and, therefore;

Invites the Director-General of FAO to examine with Unesco,
the Organization for African Unity (OAU), and the International
Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)
the possibility of formally presenting a single instrument to a
diplomatic conference of African States, this instrument to
include a protocol on the conservation and wise use of all
natural resources and a detailed convention on the conservation
and management of wildlife in Africa;

Authorizes the Director-General to call such a diplomatic
conference jointly with the other interested organizations in the
event of it being possible to draw up the said single instrument;

Invites the Director-General, further, to examine later with
the organizations concerned the formulation of a similarly
detailed convention on the conservation and management of other
natural resources.

(Adopted 23.11. 67)

596. The Pakistan Delegation expressed the wish that a similar
instrument be drawn up for South East Asia, including a
convention for the conservation and management of wildlife and
appropriate provisions to cover all other natural resources.

597. In examining the Director-General's report on FAO/UNICEF
relations (CL 48/11), the Council at its Forty-Eighth Session
also considered the question whether it would be desirable for
FAO to assume the cost of travel and subsistence allowances for
one delegate of each member of the FAO/ UNICEF Joint Policy
Committee appointed by FAO. In this connection, the Council noted
that this practice had been followed by UNICEF.

598. The Council was cognizant of the fact that, according to
paragraph 32 (ii) of the Principles governing conventions and
agreements as well as bodies established under Article VI of the
Constitution, the expenses of members of Article VI bodies
attending sessions as government representatives were to be borne
by the respective government. As this Principle had been adopted
by the Conference, any departure therefrom would be subject to
authorization by the Conference.

599. Since Members of the Council had expressed divergent
opinions as to the action which might be recommended to the
Conference, the Council decided that this question should be
summitted to the Conference for consideration; it recommended,
however, that if the Conference should grant an exception to the
aforementioned principle in the case of the FAO/UNICEF Joint
Policy Committee, it should be clearly specified that this
exception should not be construed as a precedent.

600. In reply to the question from one delegate, it was stated
that the costs referred to above were estimated at approximately
US$5,000 for the biennium.

601. During the debate in the Conference, in the light of
document C 67/42, several delegates expressed the opinion that it
would not be desirable to allow for an exception from the
Principles which were applicable to all Article VI Bodies,
including bodies established jointly with other agencies; in this
connection, one delegate suggested that FAO might explore
possibilities of obtaining an alignment of UNICEF policy in this
matter with the FAO Principles referred to above.

602. However, the majority of delegates who took part in the
debate were in favor of granting an exception with a view to
ensuring that members appointed by FAO to the FAO/UNICEF Joint
Policy Committee should enjoy equal treatment with members
appointed by UNICEF, and bearing in mind that the payment by the
Organization of attendance cost of one delegate of each
FAO-appointed member would result in a better representation at
sessions, particularly from developing countries.

603. After having examined the various implications, the
Conference decided to make an exception to the Principle referred
to above with respect to the travel and subsistence allowances
for one delegate of each Member of the FAO/UNICEF Joint Policy
Committee appointed by FAO. In taking this decision, the
Conference stressed however that this exception should not be
construed as a precedent.

604. At its Thirteenth Session (November - December 1965), the
Conference had requested the Council to undertake over a
four-year cycle the review of all FAO commissions, committees and
working parties of governments and of experts, as well as panels
of experts, to ensure that they are maintained only for the
length of time required to accomplish their main purpose and
avoid proliferation and duplication of functions.

605. The Conference had commented on the large number of FAO
sessions which both delegates and staff had to prepare for and
attend. The financial burden of sending delegations to sessions
was another factor which governments had to take into
consideration. At the same time the Conference noted with
satisfaction the steps already taken by the Director-General to
ensure that sessions of statutory bodies and ad hoc conferences
and consultations were planned so as to render participation by
governments and staff as effective as possible.

606. At its Forty-Seventh Session (October 1966) the Council
had undertaken the first stage of this review, and requested the
Director-General to provide the material necessary to conduct the
second stage of the review at its Forty-Ninth Session (October
19673. At its Forty-Eighth Session (June 1967) the Council made
some further recommendations concerning the conduct of the
review.

607. The Council had also referred to the Technical Committees
of the Conference a review of FAO statutory bodies and their
functions, on the basis of documents CL 49/6 and CL 49/6-Sup. 1.

608. At its Forty-Ninth Session, accordingly, the Council
deferred the detailed review of the achievements of the existing
bodies and their proposed activities for 1968/69 in view of the
fact that the reports of the Technical Committees thereon were
not available at the time of the Council session.

609. The Technical Committee did not have time to go into the
matter in depth. For the most part they contented themselves with
approving the activities of existing bodies and recommending
their continuation.

610. The Conference recommended:

(a) The abolition of the Regional Fisheries Commission
for Western Africa in view of the establishment of a FAO
Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic;

(b)
The abolition of the Panel of Fishery Experts because
there were sufficient alternative facilities for
obtaining expert advice in the field of fisheries.

611. At the same time the Conference noted that the Committee
on Fisheries had abolished the Working Party on the Rational
Utilization of the Fishery Resources of the Indian Ocean, and
changed the title of the FAO Panel of Experts on Fish Protein
Concentrates for Human Consumption to FAO Panel of Experts on
Fish Utilization.

612. The Conference noted that the European Forestry
Commission at its Thirteenth Session had abolished its Working
Party on Chestnut, and the Near East Forestry Commission at its
Fifth Session had dissolved its Working Party on Watershed and
Forest Range Management and Working Party on Forestry Education
and Research.

613. The Conference declared itself concerned with the
proliferation of FAO statutory bodies. The Conference accordingly
drew attention to the alternative possibilities of convening ad
hoc conferences and consultations under Article VI, paragraph 5,
of the Constitution, where there was insufficient evidence of the
need for a permanent body to deal with technical matters.

614. Where a permanent body seemed desirable, the Conference
concurred with the proposal that the establishment of such bodies
be given thorough consideration by the establishing organ under
the following constitutional provisions:

(b)
Committees and working parties of selected Member Nations
- (Article VI-2)

(c) Committees of experts, working parties of experts,
and panels of experts, comprising individuals selected in
personal capacity - (Articles VI-2 and VI-4)

615. The function of the bodies described above is normally to
permit an exchange of information between government delegates or
experts and to tender advice to the Director-General who brings
relevant issues to the attention of the Council and Conference.
In the case of subsidiary bodies, they transmit their reports
through the parent body.

616. In the light of the foregoing considerations, the
Conference adopted the following criteria:

Criteria

Comments

(i) That there is an identifiable
problem of sufficient importance in the subject matter
field.

If the problem is of a general nature,
it can usually be handled by another body, such as a
regional commission, the Council of the Conference
(including technical Committees of the Conference).

(ii) That the problem or problems are of
persistent character or of a recurring nature and one
that requires continuing consultation between governments
or by experts.

If the problem is not persistent or is
not likely to recur, the use of ad hoc conferences or
consul consultations should be considered.

(iii) That there are insufficient
existing machinery and facilities within or outside the
Organization in the relevant area of work.

Alternative solutions to the problem
should first be considered e.g. by correspondence - by
the secretariat - by use of consultants - by other
existing bodies or panels of experts - by ad hoc
conferences or consultations

(iv) That it is reasonable to believe
that useful results can be achieved by consultation
between governments or with experts.

The type of action required will
determine whether it is to be an intergovernmental or
expert body.

(v) That the body proposed is so
composed as to provide adequate opportunity to all those
interested and those able to make an effective
contribution to participate in the work of the body; and
that there are reasonable prospects of active
participation by the members of the body.

Consideration should be given to the
type of body to be established (worldwide, regional,
selected governments, or experts appointed in a personal
capacity) in the light of this criterion.

(vi) That the matters to be considered
require the attention of specialists in the given field.

If specialists in the given field are
not available or are not likely to attend sessions, then
a more general body could handle the matter (e. g. a
regional commission, a regional conference, the Council
or the Conference).

(vii) That the results of the work of
the body will be of immediate or long-range benefit to a
reasonable number of the interested Member Nations of the
Organization.

617. The same criteria should be kept in mind when establishing
subsidiary bodies under Articles V, VI and XIV of the
Constitution.

618. The Conference noted that the Organization's Conference
and Operations Branch and other related units were assuming the
function of helping to keep down, within the Organization, the
number of meetings planned and their duration. The need for such
control had recently been again stressed by the UN ad hoc
Committee of Fourteen. The Conference hoped that tighter controls
would tend to dampen enthusiasm for new statutory bodies.

619. The Conference agreed with the conclusion of the Council
that the term "dependent bodies"as employed by the UN
ad hoc Committee could be appropriately construed as comprising,
in the case of FAO, commissions, committees or working parties of
Member Nations or experts established under Articles VI and XIV
of the Constitution, as well as any subsidiary bodies established
by them. The term would also comprise the sub committees, study
groups, working parties, and other subsidiary bodies of the
Committee on Commodity Problems and the Committee on Fisheries
set up under Rules XXIX-9 and XXX-10 of the General Rules of the
Organization.

620. The Conference noted that the request to convene
additional sessions of bodies of Member Nations frequently
emanated from the government delegates themselves and that
accordingly it lay primarily with the Member Governments of such
bodies, when briefing their delegates attending sessions of those
bodies, to ensure that requests for unscheduled sessions were not
made.

621. The Conference noted, however, that in the implementation
of Resolution No. 21/67, a number of occasions might arise where
unscheduled sessions would be desirable in the case of commodity
study groups of the Committee on Commodity Problems, and in the
cases of subsidiary bodies of the Committee on Fisheries and the
Advisory Committee of Experts on Marine Resources Research. It
therefore recognized that in convening previously unscheduled
sessions of these bodies the Director-General might, subject to
the availability of funds, need to make exceptions because of
circumstances peculiar to these areas of work.

622. In the cases mentioned in paragraphs 620 and 621 above
the chairman and the Director-General's representatives attending
the sessions would be in a good position to intervene with
respect to requests for such additional sessions. The Conference
noted that this might well also be done in the case of panels of
experts established under Article VI-4 of the Constitution, where
a similar proliferation of sessions might occur.

623. As a further means of achieving the purposes of the
recommendation, the Conference decided that in future the
statutes of any new dependent bodies should include a provision
regarding both the frequency and duration of their sessions and
that this requirement should also apply to any subsidiary bodies
which the dependent bodies might establish . Likewise, the
Committee on Commodity Problems and the Committee on Fisheries
should include similar provisions in the statutes of any new
subsidiary bodies they might establish in future. Statutes of
existing bodies should be amended accordingly as opportunity
arises.

624. In the light of the foregoing considerations, the
Conference adopted the following resolution, and decided that the
text of the resolution be incorporated as an addendum into Volume
II of the Basic Texts:

Resolution No. 21/67

Sessions of FAO Commissions, Committees and Working Parties
and of their Subsidiary Bodies

THE CONFERENCE

Noting the recommendation of the United Nations' ad hoc
Committee to Examine the Finances of the United Nations and
Specialized Agencies, to the effect that no dependent body should
be permitted to increase the number or length of its sessions
already authorized without the specific approval of the organ
which established it;

Considering that this recommendation, as regards its
implementation with respect to FAO, should be construed as
applying to commissions, committees and working parties of Member
Nations and of experts established under Articles VI and XIV of
the FAO Constitution, and their subsidiary bodies, as well as to
subsidiary bodies of committees of the Council established under
Article V;

Recognizing that a literal implementation of the
aforementioned recommendation of the ad hoc Committee would
result in serious practical difficulties;

Realizing however that the objectives of such recommendation
can be achieved by the exercise of appropriate controls by the
Conference and Council;

Aware that the procedures under which FAO operates require
advance approval by the Conference of the Program of Work and
Budget for the subsequent biennium and that the Program of Work
and Budget for 1968/69 includes a complete list of sessions of
statutory bodies and subsidiary bodies and of other conferences
and consultations which the Director-General proposes for the
biennium (C 67/3-Sup. 1-Rev. 1);

Decides that sessions of FAO bodies, other than those sessions
listed in the Program of Work for the relevant biennium, should
only be convened in exceptional circumstances;

Authorizes the Director-General to make such exceptions when
in his view such action is necessary for the fulfillment of the
Program of Work as approved by the Conference, subject however to
such exceptions being reported to the session of the Council
immediately following such action;

Invites Member Governments to draw the attention of their
delegates attending sessions of bodies of Member Nations to the
need to adhere to the schedule of sessions provided for in the
approved Program of Work;

Decides that the terms of this Resolution shall apply equally
to the convening of unscheduled sessions of panels of experts
established under Article VI-4 of the Constitution;

Decides that in the case of new bodies to be established under
Article VI or XIV of the Constitution, or subsidiary bodies
established by the latter, a provision should be included in the
Convention, Agreement, Statutes or Rules of Procedure, as
appropriate, limiting the frequency and duration of sessions of
such bodies; and that the statutes of existing bodies should be
amended accordingly as opportunity arises;

Further decides that the Committee on Commodity Problems and
the Committee on Fisheries should include similar limitations in
the statutes of any new subsidiary bodies which they may
establish; and that the statutes of existing subsidiary bodies be
amended accordingly as opportunity arises;

Requests the Director-General to bring this Resolution to the
attention of the chairmen and members of bodies of experts and,
if necessary, also of intergovernmental bodies, in the event of
any proposals formulated by them to convene unscheduled sessions.

625. The Conference noted the explanation given by the Finance
Committee to the Council (CL 49/14, paragraphs 6 to 11) and in
particular its recommendation, after a full examination, not to
propose a reduction in the financial provision for meetings in
1968/69. The Conference agreed that the total provisions proposed
in relation to meetings for each Division should be presented in
future budget documents as clearly and comprehensively as
practicable.

626. While the Conference considered the early release and
wide distribution of technical reports from statutory bodies to
be most important, it again drew attention to the views expressed
elsewhere in this report, concerning planning documentation for
statutory bodies in direct relation to the Organization's
capacity for translating, processing and issuing such
documentation.

627. The Conference requested the Council to continue its
systematic review of FAO's statutory bodies, taking account where
appropriate of the views of the parent bodies of the
abovementioned subsidiary organs. The Conference suggested this
might, at least in part, be done at the same time as the Council
carried out its periodic reviews of the activities of the several
sectors of the Organization. The Council should also ensure that
bodies which have accomplished their main purpose should not be
maintained in existence, and that new bodies should not be
established except after careful examination of such proposals in
the light of the criteria adopted by the Conference.

628. The Conference also requested a more logical arrangement
of the material appearing in the annual Directory of Statutory
Bodies, and the incorporation into it of a review of the
achievements and proposed activities of each of the bodies
listed, based upon the material submitted in document CL 49/6,
brought up to date and suitably expanded where necessary.

629. The historical evolution and the chain of Council and
Conference directions, leading to the present status and terms of
reference of Regional Conferences, as detailed in document C
67/43, were noted, and the Conference carefully examined the
proposals put forward by the Director-General in respect of the
approach that might be adopted for the 1968 series of Regional
Conferences.

630. In regard to the former, the Conference stressed the
growing importance of Regional Conferences as a forum for local
examination of regional problems and requirements; the consequent
need for a review of their authority and terms of reference in
keeping with their major role in providing guidance to the
Director-General for preparation of his overall proposals with
respect to the program of work and budget; and the necessity of
considering their future relationship with both regional FAO
technical commissions and the Regional Economic Commissions of
the United Nations, in making an essentially practical
contribution to overall economic and social integration and
Development.

631. However, on account of time limitation and in view of
their close inter-relationship with the overall structure of the
Organization, and with the review of the regional framework in
particular, the Conference agreed that the authority and terms of
reference of Regional Conferences should be given full attention
by appropriate bodies existing or to be established by the
Conference to study the details and implications of the
reorganization of FAO's structure during the coming biennium.

632. The Conference agreed that the ad hoc Committee on
Organization should carefully examine the reorganization of
Regional Conferences within the framework of measures proposed
for reorganization of the regional structure. It was on the basis
of such guidance that the Director-General would prepare a
revision of the authority and terms of reference of Regional
Conferences for submission to the Committee on Constitutional and
Legal Matters.

633. The Conference also noted the suggestion that due
consideration be given to changing the name of the FAO Conference
to the FAO General Assembly, so as to distinguish it from other
general or regional conferences of the Organization.

634. The matter of suspension of future sessions of the
European Regional Conference was raised. A substantial number of
Member Nations consulted expressed themselves in favor of
maintaining the European Regional Conference, and for that reason
the Director-General was asked to schedule the next European
Regional Conference in 1968.

635. Turning to the proposals contained in document C 67/43
Add. 1, the Conference noted with approval that these suggestions
for reorientation were made as an interim measure to allow the
1968 series of Regional Conferences, including the European
Regional Conference, to continue in helping the Director-General
prepare his next Program of Work and Budget, pending
re-examination of their authority and terms of reference, the
results of which could only be considered by the Conference at
its next session

636. The Conference agreed with the broad outlines proposed
for the agenda of the next series of Regional Conferences. It
noted the effort made to meet many of the criticisms on Regional
Conference organization raised at the last series. Greater
opportunity would be offered for examination in depth of the FAO
activities and organizational arrangements in the region and for
its adjustment in the light of the expressed needs of the
countries of the region, and also problems common to two or more
countries of the region requiring co-ordinated action and
technical assistance and aid. Introduction of the IWP as a main
theme was also approved as a means of orienting such short-term
action within long-term objectives; and discussion of the
Regional Studies of the IWP would constitute a useful preparatory
stage for debate on this matter.

637. The Conference finally noted that the stage of
preparation of agenda items for the 1968 Regional Conferences
would permit informal discussion between delegations and the
Regional Representatives before the close of the Fourteenth
Session of the Conference.

638. Under the General Rules of FAO the Conference is
empowered to establish committees "for the consideration of
the technical activities of the Organization"(XV-3). In
this connection, the Conference recalled that it had become
customary to establish six Technical Committees, to meet just
prior to the subsequent session of the Conference, the convening
and closing dates as well as their agenda being determined by the
Council. In accordance with General Rule XV-3, the terms of
reference of Technical Committees so established are as follows:

(a) Review the activities of the biennium coming to an
end relating to the regular, technical assistance and
other programs;

(b) Consider from a technical
standpoint the different chapters of the draft Program of
Work for the ensuing biennium;

(c) Consider the trends of the Program of Work beyond
the ensuing biennium;

(d) Study such items as may be specifically referred
to it by the Council.

639. The Conference also recalled that the Council had
requested the General Rapporteur on the Work of the Technical
Committees, in co-operation with the Rapporteurs of the six
Technical Committees, to prepare a report on their experience in
connection with the Fourteenth Session of the Conference. The
Conference further recalled that the question of how the
Technical Committees could best contribute to the work of the
Conference had been considered on numerous occasions in both the
Council and the Conference. Efforts had been made to ensure (i)
that discussions in the Technical Committees and Commission II of
the Conference did not duplicate each other, (ii) that the
Technical Committees considered the work of the Organization from
a technical standpoint while Commission II concentrated on the
policy aspects and decisions required of the Conference, and
(iii) that pressures arising from the specialized interests of
various subject-matter groups should not create imbalances in the
Program of Work.

640. The Conference also recalled that, following a study of
the problem by the Director-General in consultation with Member
Governments, and consideration of the matter by the Council, the
Conference, in its Thirteenth Session, had decided again to
establish six Technical Committees to meet during the period
immediately preceding the Conference, at dates fixed by the
Council.

641. The Conference noted that substantial efforts had already
been made by the Council and by earlier sessions of the
Conference to find a satisfactory division of responsibilities
between the Technical Committees and Commission II of the
Conference; noted also the highly commendable efforts of the
General Rapporteur on the Work of the Technical Committees to
carry out his assignment within the present framework; agreed
that a satisfactory framework had not yet been evolved; and
requested the Council to re-study the matter with a view to again
trying new approaches in methods of work and/or in the timing of
the Technical Committee sessions, and their method of reporting
to Commission II, and thus more nearly achieving the objective of
a satisfactory division of functions and responsibilities between
the Technical Committees on the one hand, and Commission II on
the other.

642. The Conference decided again to establish in principle
six Technical Committees, to meet if the Council should decide
and at such times prior to the Fifteenth Session of the
Conference as the Council should decide, as follows:

Technical Committee on Agriculture
Technical Committee on Economics and Social Affairs
Technical Committee on Fisheries
Technical Committee on Forestry
Technical Committee on Nutrition
Technical Committee on Publications, Public Relations and
Legal Affairs.

The Conference also decided to delegate to the Council the
authority to change the names of the Technical Committees in the
event the re-organization of FAO's structure so requires and,
notwithstanding General Rule XV, pare. 3, to determine whether
they should meet.

643. The Conference requested the Council, in its review of
the arrangements for the Fifteenth Session of the Conference, to
schedule substantive items for consideration by the Commissions,
to the maximum extent practicable, prior to the time Commission
II is scheduled to review the related budgetary and financial
aspects.

644. The Conference noted that some of the Technical
Committees had expressed the view that present arrangements for
them to evaluate the activities of the Organization were not
wholly satisfactory and could be improved. For instance the
information provided in document C 67/25 The Work of FAO in
regard to 1966/67 was not entirely adequate for this purpose. It
suggested, therefore, that another look be taken by the Council
during 1968 at the form of the background documentation, so as to
allow a thorough review of the work done in the biennium coming
to an end under all programs. The Conference also felt that a
review of future trends could only be effectively performed if
Member Governments were to be provided, in addition to the
customary material, with a paper in regard to each major field of
activity of the Organization, far enough ahead of the session of
the Conference. This paper should be of a nature to assist
governments in evaluating together the 1968/69 work, the 1970/71
program, and future trends, including both the practicability and
desirability of shifts in emphasis.